The president of Russell Development and former partner atMelvin Mark Properties will help advise the city's economicdevelopment arm on redevelopment of the city's urban renewal areas,among other things. The Harvard MBA and former planning commissionmember also currently serves on the Oregon TransportationCommission, the Mayor's Business Roundtable and the PortlandChamber of Commerce. Russell will take his seat on the commissionNov. 8, replacing commissioner James Atkinson.

Russell's pet project proposal for the last couple of years hasbeen the addition of 10 stories of structurally separate officespace above the 19-story "Black Box" known formally as 200 S.WMarket St, which he helped purchase, develop and refinance withRegence BlueCross BlueShield. Russell also developed Pacwest Centerafter successfully fighting through the pullout of an anchor tenantthat stalled the $54 million project.